Hi Amy! You're family is going to have such a magical time on your first Walt Disney World vacation!
My family's first day tradition is to visit
Downtown Disney. You can hop on a Disney bus from your resort to this free area filled with shops, restaurants and activities. We like to have a meal at one of the restaurants, like the Wolfgang Puck Cafe, and then browse the stores for fun souvenirs and Disney apparel. On our trip last week, we went bowling at the new Splitsville and it was one of the highlights of the vacation for my kids. If you have young daughters, a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney for a princess makeover is a fun way to kick off a vacation, and the style will hold fairly well so they can wear it to the park the next day.
Other fun first day activities include a nice sit-down dinner at one of the Disney resorts, mini golf at either Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland, or enjoying the pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Be sure to rest up that first night so you'll be ready to hit the parks the next morning!
Come visit us again at the Moms Panel if you have questions! We'd love to help!